Category Archives: Quality of Life

City Engineers Present “Eastern Shore Dr. Interim Drainage Improvement Proposal”

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On Thursday June 20th at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC), City Engineers presented the “Eastern Shore Drive Interim Drainage Improvement Proposal”.  This proposal was the result of an engineering study performed by City engineers and engineering consultant Kimley-Horn.  The study was performed as part of the community’s on going request (since 2009) to fix tidal flooding issues in neighborhoods east of the Lesner Bridge.  The presentation, studies and recommendations can be found on the City’s Public Works website.  Click here to access

The City’s Engineering results on interim flooding fixes has been summarized on Slide 33 of their presentation shown below.  This presentaiton will be made to City Council at which point they will decide whether to fund the interim projects.  Please note that the housing and garage impacts are based on a 4.0 foot tide occurence.

Return On Investment

  • Total Cost of Interim Improvements: $1.2 M
  • Benefit is some reduction in flooding frequency for:

– 5 houses

– 15 Garages

– 570 L.F. of Street

  • Comprehensive improvements are budgeted and initial phases could begin in 2016
  • A decision on whether to fund the Interim Improvements is needed

 

“The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay from Starfish Road to Rockbridge Road. Lab results showed bacteria levels in the water meet the State Water Quality Standards.”

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Read entire News Release at VBGov.com:

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters.

Learn more about Enterococci at EPA.gov:

Enterococci are a subgroup within the fecal streptococcus group. Enterococci are distinguished by their ability to survive in salt water, and in this respect they more closely mimic many pathogens than do the other indicators. Enterococci are typically more human-specific than the larger fecal streptococcus group. EPA recommends enterococci as the best indicator of health risk in salt water used for recreation and as a useful indicator in fresh water as well.

Human Gut Microbe (Enterococcus faecalis)

Human Gut Microbe (Enterococcus faecalis)

“The city’s Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Chesapeake Bay between Starfish Road and Rockbridge Road.”

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Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

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“Crew clubs approached the city about finding a site where they could access Broad Bay. The Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation partnered with First Landing State Park to build a facility on park property.”

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From Pilotonline.com:

“It’s going to be a nice addition,” he said, adding that recreational boaters can tie up to the floating dock and pick up or drop off passengers at the parking lot or use the restrooms. People who have smaller boats such as kayaks and canoes will be able to carry them to the floating dock and launch. Trailer-mounted boats will still use the ramps.

The 2,888-acre state park offers hiking and biking trails, beach access, camping and more. About 1.5 million people visit each year.

Floating Dock at First Landing State Park

CBF milled live oak today.

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Remember the lot that was clear cut of its live oaks located on Shore Drive near the Lesner Bridge?

CBF accepted the cut down live oak material.

Today it was milled into lumber to be dried then used inside & around the Brock Center.

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Thanks to everyone who helped preserve the live oak material.

Shame the trees couldn’t be preserved but at least their beautiful lumber will live on & may inspire future generations.

Participate in Virginia Beach’s plan to preserve the urban forest

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Learn more at VBGov.com:

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is inviting the public to provide input at two different public information meetings that involve the City of Virginia Beach’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Learn what is in the works to improve the environmental, economic and social benefits of the city through the proper planting, maintenance and preservation of trees.
The first public meeting will discuss the City’s northern watersheds (Lynnhaven River, Elizabeth River, Rudee, Oceanfront, and Little Creek) and takes place at Bayside Recreation Center (4500 First Court Rd) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013…Both meetings take place from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.

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Ride of Silence May 15th on Shore Drive

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From Tidewater Bicycle Association:

We will ride down Shore Drive using the bike lane and shoulders to Atlantic Ave and back in silence.

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When
May 15, 2013
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location
Food Lion, Shore Drive & N. Great Neck Rd, Va Beach

Vandalism on PHP

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Certainly “grown ups” can’t be responsible for this.

From an email:

The past two weeks we have seen an elevated amount of vandalism at Pleasure House Point. The two dog boxes were ripped from their signs, along the two Marlin Bay trails, last week. We installed new ones and I inspected the site yesterday and found that the same occurred again. Last week we found that a household kitchen bag was dumped on a trail. Mail within the bag was addressed to (redacted). Yesterday, along the same trail I found four very large bags dumped on the trail. I removed the litter and pulled the dog boxes out of the woods from where they were thrown and placed them beside the posts from which they were installed. At this point we are discussing which dog boxes to reinstall. A police report was given and I have a case number pertaining to the issue.

I wanted to keep you posted as well as possibly ask if you wouldn’t mind mentioning something about this in your next OPCL Newsletter.

Please let me know if you need other information or anything on our end. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Michael T. Moore; CNMP
Open Space and Resource Manager
Parks and Natural Areas
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Parks and Natural Areas Office | 2289 Lynnhaven Parkway | Virginia Beach, VA 23456

20130430-190045.jpgPhoto taken at April 20th clean up on PHP.

Ocean Park to get sand now. Chic’s Beach in a few years.

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At Pilotonline.com:

A similar project will add about 200,000 cubic yards of sand at Ocean Park Beach when the Army Corps of Engineers later this year works to clear sand that’s built up in the Lynnhaven Inlet, Roehrs said.

A major beach restoration project for Chic’s Beach also is in the works, although it might take a few years to start while the city obtains agreements from waterfront property owners ensuring public access to the shore, Roehrs said.

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“Attached you will find our response to the Norfolk District Commander of the Corps of Engineers attesting to the City’s commitment for providing the necessary real estate interests for the project features identified in the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Plan. This plan consists of restoring 38 acres of Wetlands, 94 acres of sub~aquatic Vegetation (SAV), the reintroduction of bay scallops on the SAV and the construction of 31 acres of reef habitat.”

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Recent correspondence between City of VB & ACOE re: Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Plan. (9 page PDF)

We understand that concerns exist regarding the City’s ability to accomplish the real estate acquisition that may be necessary for the project. Please be assured that We have reviewed the potential real estate requirements identified in the District’s letter dated March 12, 2013. We acknowledge that the provision of all real estate interests necessary for the construction, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the project will be the responsibility of the City of Virginia Beach as the Non-Federal Sponsor for this project It is understood that the procurement of real estate interests may include acquiring or terminating existing oyster leases, acquiring permanent real estate interests from private and pubîic property owners for wetlands restoration, and securing permanent easements over state-owned river bottoms to support the parts of the project involving submerged aquatic vegetation restoration, bay scallops reintroduction, and reef habitat creation.

sunset at the end of the dock

“What captured Kmet was a release of three dozen pelicans that were rescued over the winter. They were freed at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com.

Photo Credit: Kevin O'Hara from Ocean Park

Photo Credit: Kevin O’Hara from Ocean Park

607 acres of the Lynnhaven to close to shellfish harvesting. “Bacteria sources include sewage leaks, animal and pet waste, and stormwater runoff from streets, lawns and parking lots.”

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Read the entire article and comment here, or at Pilotonline.com:

In its “state of the river” report for 2012, the environmental group Lynnhaven River Now gave a C+ to efforts at controlling bacteria pollution.

Not sure how this will affect the upcoming popular Lynnhaven River NOW Oyster Roast on April 20th.

Oysters from LRNow 2012

Lesner Bridge construction slated to start January 2014, end January 2017

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Visit VBGov.com to learn more and watch a video:

Construction will commence January 2014 to replace the bridge in a project that stretches westward from Vista Circle to East Stratford Road on the opposite bank. Two precast concrete bridges will replace the existing span and work is expected to last approximately three years.

Lesner Bridge Replacement Study

“Often unleashed, they stretch their legs on the nature preserve’s sandy trails, mingle with like-minded canines and take care of their evening constitutionals, all with owner Sharon Thoma…”

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Read and comment on Pilotonline.com article about unleashed dogs and their threat to PHP:

They also could disrupt the nests of diamondback terrapins or traumatize their hatchlings, she said.

“There needs to be a behavior change,” Everett said. “It’s important to keep dogs on-leash on the site because it’s a preserve area.”

Pet waste also is a major source of harmful bacteria, which degrades water quality, can render shellfish unsafe to eat and make humans and other animals sick, Everett said.

One comment excerpt:

Some dog owners in my neighborhood walk their dogs off leash routinely. Their self-centeredness is similar to what I am reading here. We had a dog attacked by another, requiring extensive vet bills.

Not an ashtray

Photos of seals at CBBT by Jet Ski Brian & how to contact the Stranding Response Team

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Photo Credit: Jet Ski Brian http://jetskibrian.com/

In case you’ve missed the great pics Jet Ski Brian has been getting here’s his website.

One of the seals seems to have a gill net wrapped around it’s neck:

I went through the pictures I took on Saturday and sure enough it looks like one the poor guys has what looks like part of a gill net tightly around his neck. I emailed and called the Virginia Beach Aquarium and am waiting to here back from them.
I saw several sets of gill net around the Islands of the tunnel.

Stranding Response Program at Virginia Aquarium.

Report a Stranding
ATTENTION ALL BOATERS AND BEACH WALKERS:
When water temperatures drop quickly, cold-blooded reptiles like sea turtles often find themselves in trouble up and down the East Coast. Some of these animals may appear deceased but are actually in a coma, due to the surrounding cold waters. These animals are in need of IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION! If you come across a sea turtle swimming, floating or stranded on the beach, please stay with it and call the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team immediately at (757) 385-7575.
Report a Stranding

To report a stranded sea turtle or marine mammal (dolphin, whale, seal or manatee) to the Aquarium’s Stranding Response Program, call (757) 385-7575 (24 hours/7 days).

And, the Virginia Aquarium has a new website up to catalog the deadly balloons that can kill marine life.

“Blipfoto is a community of people from all over the world,” said Giles, a resident of Cape Story by the Sea. “Some people have done this for years, and some are just beginning. I’ve done it for over a year now.”

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Check out the Pilotonline.com article about Martha.

Giles’ favorite photo subject is nature, particularly birds. Favorite local sites include First Landing State Park, the Chesapeake Bay and Pleasure House Point.

“You’ll find that many of my pictures are of birds,” Giles said about her online gallery, http://www.blipfoto.com/mmg. “I never set out to take just pictures of birds, but that’s just how it happens.”

Martha’s daily photos from around the Bayfront are inspirational and gorgeous. Be sure to check them out!

2013 Watersheds Forum – SIGN UP NOW

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Brought to you by VIMS, LRNow, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

If you love the magnificent bounty of our local waters – GO.

View Lynnhaven River NOW’s E-News here.

2013 Watersheds Forum
March 21, 9:00-2:30, Virginia Beach Convention Center

Oyster Roast 3 The first Virginia Beach Watersheds Forum will be held on March 21, 2013 at the Vriginia Beach Convention Center. Registration will begin at 8:15 AM and presentations begin at 9 AM. The Forum is 9 AM-1 PM and includes a box lunch.
The Forum is being held jointly by Lynnhaven River NOW and the Back Bay Restoration Foundation and is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.

The 2013 Forum will have two panel presentations from regional experts on adapting to Sea Level Rise and how our natural resorces fit into Virginia Beach’s long range planning. Additionally, break-out sessions for the northern and southern watersheds will feature speakers from VIMS, LRNow, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Registration is $15 and includes light morning refreshments, a box lunch and all presentations. Add-on workshops will be held at the close of the informational presentations from 1:00-2:30. For an additional fee, participants can build their own rain barrel, learn about gardening with native plants and receive their own native plant, or build their own worm composting bin.

Please register here using PayPal. If you prefer to pay with a check, please contact Mary Tilton at mary.tilton@bbrf.org or 757-619-6429.

For more information, visit our website or contact Karen at Karen@LRNow.org or 757-962-5398.
We hope to see you all on March 21st for an interesting day!

Citizens Invited to Help Participate in Review and Adoption of Community Sustainability Plan

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The City of Virginia Beach invites all residents, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders who have an interest in how the city plans, manages, protects and promotes its current and future sustainability initiatives to participate in the City Council’s review and adoption of “A Community Plan for a Sustainable Future” over the next several weeks. 

 

The City Council will be holding a public comment session on Tuesday, Feb. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive, 2nd Floor. 

 

The City Council will also be holding a public hearing and vote on adoption of the plan on Tuesday, Feb. 26 beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive, 2nd Floor.

 

The draft plan is available for the public to review prior to these meetings at http://www.vbgov.com/government/offices/eso/sustainability-plan/Documents/vb-sustainability-plan-web.pdf.  These public input meetings are the final steps in a yearlong public outreach process to seek ideas and direction from citizens to help guide the City in the development of its first comprehensive Community Sustainability Plan.

 

For additional information, please contact Clay Bernick in the Planning Department/Environment and Sustainability Office at 385-4899 or visit www.VBgov.com/sustainplan.

“SB 926 Wetlands; governmental activity. 01/31/13 Senate: Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources”

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From Virginia’s LIS:

YEAS–Hanger, Watkins, Puckett, Ruff, McEachin, Petersen, Northam, Marsden, Black, Miller–10.

NAYS–0.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

Thank you.

Members of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources:

Special thanks to Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters Republican-District 8 for requesting SB926 to be stricken.

Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters Republican-District 8

Senator Jeffrey L. McWaters Republican-District 8